Gentle Adjusting

Gentle Adjusting

Poor spinal alignment can be the cause of back pain, neck pain, and even poor circulation in the extremities. Poor spinal alignment can also be the cause of heartburn, constipation, and even menstrual cramps. Poor spinal alignment also plays a role in thoughts of depression, fatigue, and general feelings of malaise. These conditions can take a toll on your health, your posture, the quality of your interactions with people, your feelings of accomplishment, and your ability to work. A misaligned or subluxated spine can cause a variety of health problems and requires professional chiropractic adjustment. Dr. Powell is trained in a number of chiropractic techniques that help align the spine and bring your body into balance; each technique offers benefits including reduced pain, increased mobility, a sense of vitality, and better health overall.

What is a Spinal Adjustment?

Spinal adjustment is the overall process of spinal alignment used by Dr. Powell, and involves ‘retraining’ the spine and surrounding muscles to adapt to a healthier state of functionality. Spinal adjustment is often used to increase mobility, to bring the entire spinal column into balance. Bringing your spinal column into balance reduces stress on the central nervous system since the spinal column is the primary conduit for its interaction with the rest of the body. The process itself depends on the technique that is appropriate for your spine at the time of examination.

Extremity Manipulation

An extremity is any part of your body that is not your spine, examples are shoulders, wrists, hips, and knees. Dr. Powell uses extremity manipulation to mobilize muscles and joints that may be causing musculoskeletal problems such as difficulty walking or as a result of injury like typing or sports. The goal of extremity manipulation and extremity adjusting is to restore mobility and function to the area that is not moving properly to reduce pain, increase mobility or flexibility, or reduce the stressful effects they can have on the spine.

Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique involves analyzing the length of the legs, and determining whether a pelvic deficiency is present. The Activator Methods technique aims to restore the proper function of the nervous system by correcting vertebral and pelvic misalignments using an Activator mallet to deliver the adjustment. This type of technique works wonderfully for people who have an aversion to the sounds of ‘popping’ that often accompany Diversified and Full Spine Technique adjusting. It is also considered high velocity low amplitude adjusting by some researchers even though it is done by instrument. The effect is little different from a patient perspective (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16182023).

The Thompson Technique is another method of adjustment that involves analyzing the length of the legs. This technique uses a ‘drop table’ for adjustment, where a gentle thrust is applied to the joints, which in turn, sets the drop piece into motion and targets the specific joint. This is the preferred method of Dr. Powell because the evaluation of the subluxation has a high level of consistency and accuracy. Further the delivery of the adjustment is gentle and precise.

Some consider this to be the best pieces of several techniques put together, while others call this a technique unto itself. Either way it is used at Mountaintop Health as a part of the treatment protocol when indicated. It is especially useful in flexible patients and athletes. The application of any of the diversified moves are delivered after a complete evaluation of the needs of the patient and their presentation at that time.

Gonstead Chiropractic Technique

This method was developed by Dr. Clarence S. Gonstead in 1923, and has since been used to treat a variety of conditions. Gonstead chiropractic techniques address all areas of subluxation – the areas where the spine is out of alignment and is causing a vertebral subluxation complex. The Gonstead technique recognizes the misalignments primarily through X-Ray and motion palpation. It is the foundation for the Life Full Spine Technique.

Cox Flexion/Distraction Chiropractic Techniques

If you are suffering from back, leg, neck, or arm pain and do not want to pursue surgery, the Cox Flexion/Distraction technique offers one option. It is considered a safe alternative to back surgery, and helps restore the range of motion in joints after bringing the spine into alignment. Treatment is performed on a special table that flexes and bends various joints. It is commonly used to restore herniated discs, reduce headaches, and improve posture.